STAAR Review - Category 3: Earth and Space

Front

What is the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram?

Back

A graphical representation of stars that categorizes them based on their luminosity and temperature, showing the relationship between these two properties.

Front

What area of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram represents white dwarfs?

Back

Area Z.

Front

What is a mid-ocean ridge?

Back

An underwater mountain range formed by plate tectonics, where tectonic plates are moving apart.

Front

How do tectonic plates move at a mid-ocean ridge?

Back

They move away from each other, allowing magma to rise and create new oceanic crust.

Front

What is the position of the moon when it appears as a full moon from Earth?

Back

The moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the sun.

Front

What causes the seasons on Earth?

Back

The tilt of Earth's axis and its orbit around the sun, which affects the angle and duration of sunlight received.

Front

What is the significance of Earth's axial tilt?

Back

It causes variations in sunlight, leading to seasonal changes in temperature and daylight.

Front

What happens during the equinox?

Back

There are equal hours of daylight and nighttime across the globe.

Front

What is gravitational force?

Back

The attractive force between two masses, such as the sun and Earth, which keeps planets in orbit.

Front

What is an elliptical orbit?

Back

An oval-shaped path that a celestial body follows around another body due to gravitational forces.